Bicycle handle-bar.



7 Patented Mar. 20, I900. J. m. BLASHFIELD. BICYCLE HANDLE BAR.

(Application flled -Iune 28, 1899.]

(No Model.)

' r amm a ATENT FFit JAMES M. BLASHFIELD, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOROF ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR E. ELLITHORP, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE HANDLE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters P atent No. 645,884, dated March20, 1900. Application filed June 23, 1899. Serial No. 721,629. (Nomodel.)

drawings, wherein like reference-numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, the numeral 1 represents the handle-bar,which comprises in its construction a central T post or connection 2,adapted to be fitted in the head-tube of the bicycle in the usual mannerand having lateral ears or wings 3 projecting from or arranged adjacentto the front or outer surface thereof, 60 and the two handle-sections 4,provided at their outer ends with suitable grips 5. The said central Tpost or connection is provided on each side with a verticallyarrangedcup or case section formed by the ears and annular 65 flanges 6',projecting therefrom, said flanges being provided with a series of seatsin the form of depressions or openings 6. The handie-sections 4 are U-shaped or bowed or curved outwardly and carry at their inner 7o endsshort transverse tubes or sleeves 7, terminating at their inner endssubstantiallyin line with the inner surfaces of the handle-sections andhaving their outer ends projecting laterally beyond the outer surfacesof said 75 sections at the proximal ends of the latter and provided withcups 8, which receive and inclose the flanges 6 and are connectedthereto by pivot-bolts 9. The two joint cases or cupsections 6 and 8thus constructed and united 80 form together a swivel cup or case onwhich each handle-section 4 is adapted to turn in a vertical plane tovary the angle of adj ustment of the grips or handle-grasps.

The locking mechanism for holding each 85 handle-section fixed inadjusted position comprises a bolt 10, slidably mounted in thetransverse tube or sleeve 7 and having a locking end 11, adapted toengage the seats 6 in the flange 6, and a shoulder 12 adjacent theretoto abut against a shoulder 13 on the interior of the sleeve 7, andthereby limit the throw of the bolt in its locking movement. The bolt isretained against displacement by a hollow screw cap or nut 14, throughwhich it loosely slides and which is threaded into the inner end of thesleeve and provided with a flange 15 to exclude dust and dirt. Aspiralspring To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. BLASHFIE LD,

a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Jackson, in the county ofJackson and State 5 of Michigan, have invented'certain new and usefulImprovements in Bicycle HandleBars; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in bicyclehandle-bars of the type shown in my United States Letters Patent No.610,469, dated September 6, 1898, wherein the handle-bar sectionscarrying the grips are independently adjustably mounted upon a T-head orcentral section adapted to be fitted in the head-tube of the bicycle,said handle-bar sections being held fixed or immovable in the desiredposition by locking-bolts having heads or exterior projections, wherebythe bolts may be retracted and the bar-sections adjusted without thenecessity of the rider removing his or her hands from the bar.

The object of the present invention is to improve generally theconstruction of handlebar shown in said patent, provide a more durableand efficient form of adjusting and locking mechanism, and arrange theparts so as to avoid slotting the adjustable sections and permit of thelocking-bolts being operated directly from the grips.

WVith this and other objects in view the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts,which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointedout in the appended claim, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein' Figure 1 is aperspective view of a handlebar embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a topplan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the joint orswivel connections of the handle-sections of the bar. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the central post or T connection. Fig. 5 is a detailview of one of the 16 encompasses the bolt between the shoulder andscrew cap or nut and serves to hold 10c locking-bolts and connections.

Referring now more particularly to the the bolt projected, and thetension of this spring may be adjusted as desired. by screwing up orloosening the nut. The bolt is adapted to be operated through the mediumof a ring or loop 17, secured to or formed integrally upon the outer endthereof. Into this ring the thumb of the hand of the rider grasping theadjacent grip may be inserted to retract the bolt when it is desired tochange the adjustment of the handle-section, and it willbe readilyobserved that owing to the construction and arrangement of the partsbefore described the ring is brought close enough to the grip to permitof this operation being effected without the necessity of the ridertaking his hand off the bar or removing it wholly from the grip. This isof great importance in that the rider may quickly and easily adjust thehandle-bar when riding and at the same time maintain complete controlover the machine.

It will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion,and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of theinvention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- In anadj ustable handle-bar for bicycles,the combination of acentral postprovided upon its front face with integral ears projectinglaterally andhaving annular flanges projecting forwardly therefrom and formed withseats, two outwardly bowed or curved handle-seetions each provided atits inner end with a transverse tubular sleeve having its outer endinternally threaded and its inner end provided with a stop-shoulder anda rearwardlyprojecting cup receiving and inclosing the flange on theadjacent ear of the post, a pivotbolt uniting the ear and the cup, asliding bolt extending through the tubular sleeve and having at itsinner end a locking projeetion to engage the seats in said flange and ashoulder to abut against the shoulder of the tube and at its outer endan operating device, a spiral spring surrounding the bolt and bearing atone end againstthe shoulder thereof, and a flanged screw-cap fitted intothe said threaded outer end of the transverse tubular sleeve and bearingagainst the adjacent end of said spring, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. BLASHFIELD. [L.s.]

Witnesses:

FIDUS LIVERMORE, JACOB F. STRoBEL.

